Maine has now taken steps to reduce some of the red tape for child care facilities by amending the requirements surrounding outdoor recreational space.
Under a newly-signed law, child care facilities located within a “reasonable distance” from an outdoor recreational facility are not required to have one of their own located on premise, something that is currently mandated.
Municipalities are also now required to allow child care facilities to operate in residential zoning areas. As it stands now, some cities and towns prohibit child care providers from offering their services in these areas.
LD 1428, the bill advancing these changes, was sponsored by Speaker of the House Ryan D. Fecteau (D-Biddeford) and cosponsored by a bipartisan but primarily Democratic group of lawmakers.
“This bill attempts to make it easier for those who want to open child care businesses to do so, expanding access across our state while continuing to adhere to the licensing requirements and safety standards that are currently in place,” Speaker of the House Fecteau explained when introducing this bill.
“We should not be stymying entrepreneurs from pursuing a business and in turn a resource for community members who desperately need to find safe and affordable child care for their kids,” he said.
“Allowing child care facilities to operate near existing recreational spaces, not only on-site, gives small providers more flexibility without sacrificing quality,” explained Rep. Holly Eaton (D-Deer Isle) in her testimony supporting this bill. “Ensuring municipalities can’t zone child care out of residential areas just makes sense — especially when so many providers are operating out of their homes.”
Also testifying in support of this bill was the Maine Policy Institute (MPI), a non-partisan, free market think tank.
“This bill represents a targeted, common-sense approach to reducing regulatory burdens currently limiting child care options for Maine families,” said MPI.
“Maine Policy Institute supports these reforms because they reduce barriers to entry, expand parental choice, and encourage entrepreneurship, particularly for women and small business owners without creating new subsidies, mandates, or tax burdens,” MPI explained. “Instead of expanding government-run systems or layering on new spending, this bill empowers communities and private providers to meet demand organically.”
The amended version of the bill ultimately gained unanimous support from those serving on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee.
This led to the bill’s unanimous passage in both the House and Senate, where the bill was advanced without any roll call votes being taken.
Gov. Janet Mills (D) then signed LD 1428 into law on June 12.
Disclosure: The Maine Wire is a project of the Maine Policy Institute.
